I’ve been an almost daily athlete since college and an overall fitness enthusiast. But with the demands of work, parenthood, and – well, life in general – these days I often find it hard to exercise as much as I want, and when I do, I find it hard to push myself .
I had heard great things about it Apple Fitness Plusthat works in conjunction with the Apple Watch or iPhone to guide you through various workouts, including yoga classes, runs, walks, strength training sessions and even meditation.
To up my fitness game, I tried Apple Fitness Plus for three months – here’s how it worked for me.
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What is Apple Fitness Plus?
First things first: What is Apple Fitness Plus anyway? Apple Fitness Plus is a fitness program that works with an Apple Watch and gives you 11 different types of workouts. You need an iPhone to sign in, and you can enhance your experience with an Apple Watch, which gives you more personalized and detailed metrics.
Workouts included with Apple Fitness Plus include:
- weight training
- HIIT
- yoga
- Mindful Cooldown
- pilates
- treadmill running
- To go biking
- Dance
- core
- rowing
- stroll
- meditation
Workouts range from five to 45 minutes each, and new workouts and meditations are added weekly. Most workouts can be done with or without equipment, so you don’t have to worry about having access to a gym to work out.
See also: 7 Easy Strength Training Workouts
Apple Fitness Plus cost
If you already own an Apple Watch, you can get one month free and then pay $9.99 per month or $79.99 annually. When you buy an Apple Watch, Apple Fitness Plus is free for three months, and then you pay $9.99 a month or $79.99 annually. You can also share Apple Fitness Plus with up to five family members. If you don’t have an Apple Watch, Apple Fitness Plus costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 annually.
Check out the yoga classes.
My experience
Here’s my overall experience of trying Apple Fitness Plus for three months:
(scroll to read more)
advantages
- Makes it easy to fit into a workout anytime
- Offers the possibility for screenless home training
- Helps you push yourself
Disadvantages
- You must own Apple products to use it
- Can get you out of the flow of a workout
- Some courses require additional equipment
Fitness has always been an important part of my life, and while most of the time I still find the time to build it in (although it’s not easy!), one problem I constantly have is not wanting to overdo it. I don’t know if this has anything to do with the pandemic, aging, parenting — the list goes on and on — but over the past year or so I’ve often found that I’ve slacked off a bit during my workouts and I haven’t pushed as much as i know i could be.
Also see: How to get a full body workout at home
While I’m all for taking it easy from time to time, I knew I needed a little extra boost. And that was the main benefit I got from Apple Fitness Plus: while using the time-to-run feature, for example, my guide would tell me when to increase the pace and when to slow it down. When I’m running alone, I don’t really think about it – I’m just trying to get through the run.
And as a yogi, I absolutely loved the yoga feature. Having been doing yoga for so many years, I don’t really need a screen to do it, but since the pandemic started, I’ve had to set up various YouTube videos on my computer (and sit through ads) to do it. Yoga. The Apple Fitness Plus Yoga feature allowed me to move through yoga flows without a screen, which I absolutely loved.
Starting a yoga class.
I also really liked the guided hikes. Walking is one of my favorite sports but because it’s a bit slower paced I sometimes think rather than stay in the present moment – definitely not something I want to do while walking! Time to Walk helped break this cycle because I was able to listen to the teacher’s voice and stay present.
See also: What does an “ideal” training plan look like?
The only issue I have with Apple Fitness Plus is that you have to own Apple products to actually use it, although the monthly cost isn’t too high. And I have an Apple Watch, which really helps. For example, if I’m running and the trainer tells me to increase my pace, my watch can tell me exactly how fast I’m running. With just an iPhone, I wouldn’t know.
Would I recommend Apple Fitness Plus? Absolutely – especially if you already own Apple products, particularly an Apple Watch. It can help you push yourself and squeeze a workout even when you feel like you don’t have the time. With workouts lasting just five minutes, I know enough to be true: we all have time!
Next: 20 best free and paid workout apps for your fitness goals
